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Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 14, 18 January 1901, Page 2

One of the most interesting cable items received last night and published in this morning’s issue of the Times is the resume of the speech delivered at Maitland last night by the Federal leader, the Hon. E. Barton. The future policy of the Federal Government was defined, and interesting details furnished on one of the most important heads —that of the Federal fiscal tariff.

A Wellington telegram received last night stated that a slip of rock on the Otago central line near Mount Alien had been removed, and goods trains were again running. A telegram received at the Times office last night states that the steamer Weka left the Spit, Napier, at 3.30 p.m. yesterday. The vessel should be in the roadstead this morning.

The following are the winners in the firs* round of the euchre tournament now proceed" ing at the New Zealand Natives’ Association rooms:—H. Webb, A. Pritchard, L. Lathan, I. C. Taylor, F. Harris, C. Taylor, and M. Nasrifith. Writing to a friend in Gisborne Mr “Banjo” Paterson, the war correspondent, says: “ I will long remember the hospitality of the Gisborne people, and particularly the members of the Poverty Bay Club. Their weloome was as thorough as it was sincere." “The back country of Poverty Bay is of splendid quality, and near the coast land that at first sight looks barren proves capable of carrying a good number of stock.” Thus a visitor from the Taranaki district to a Times representative yesterday.

The choice of an economic and becoming costume is an all-important detail in a lady’s preparation for an enjoyable holiday. We would draw the attention of those of our fair readers contemplating the same- to Messrs Adair Bros.’ announcement in another column.

Tuesday’s Hawke’s Bay Herald states: — Mrs Ward to-day presented the Hon. J. G. Ward with a son. Mr Ward has now four sons and one daughter. What price a silver cradle for the first real Ministerial record, after penny postage, of course, in the new century ? A letter has been forwarded to the member for Waiapu bringing under the notice of that gentleman the district’s requirements in the matter of extended telephone communication along the coast, and asking that the matter should receive careful consideration before next session.

The entry of the Whataupoko Brass Band for the contest at Wanganui has been accepted. Th 6 entry was late, but after consideration it was unanimously decided to accept the entry. Messrs R. May (tenor horn), T. Aston (B flat cornet), and Sr'Aston (bass) will worthily represent the band in the solo competition. It is understood that in addition to the statement forwarded to the Government by Brigadier-General Mahon anent the charges made against Lieut.-Colonel Robin, of the New Zealand contingent, two other wellknown generals now serving in South Africa are communicating with the Defence Department on the subject. More will yet be heard of this matter.

A visitor to Gisborne, who; has just returned from the hot springs at Nuhaka, states that they are slowly but steadily advancing in popular favor, and that their valuable medicinal properties are becoming widely recognised. Given an expenditure of public money commensurate with the value of this asset of the district, and the hot springs of Poverty Bay should rank second to none in New Zealand.

Since the'arrival of the ship Grace Harwar at the port she has attacted a considerable amount of attention, and the dismasted vessel has been viewed by hundreds from the shore and in boats. An enquiry into the loss of the seaman, as detailed in our columns, will be held. Captain Cnrisp, on behalf of the underwriters, has visited the vessel and made a survey of the damages sustained. An interesting and well written account of life in the South Sea Islands, which contains many interesting details of experiences on these coral-lipped, surf-fringed islands, appears on our first page. Australian and general cables, a refutation by BrigadierGeneral Mahon of the oharge levelled against Lieut.-Colonel Robin of the New Zealanders, and details of the sensational Colchester murder case at present being examined into at Christohurch will be found on our fourth page. s

A charge of assault has been made against a Native named Piripi Hiroki, and at yesterday’s sitting of the Court the acoused was remanded for eight days. It is alleged that at Waipiro a disturbance took place between several Maoris, and as a result one of them sustained injuries of a serious nature. The injured man has not yet regained consciousness, and as-a result of inquiries made Constable Smith arrested the prisoner who was yesterday charged. The Union Steamship Company, as agents for the British India Steam Navigation Company, announce that the latter company have secured the contract for the transport of coolies between Calcutta and Fiji during the present year. Three steamers will be employed to do this work, leaving Calcutta for Fiji on February 20, April 5, and May 15 respectively. As direct steam freight between these two ports is not of frequent occurrence, no doubt those interested in the trade will be glad of the opportunities afforded of doing business.

Yesterday morning a four-roomed cottage in Cook street was destroyed by fire. The premises 'were owned and occupied by a Native woman named Hera Hokokau, who was absent gathering pipis at the time, and when the fire was discovered it had such a firm hold that there was no prospect of saving the building. Messrs Charles and Hellier Evans, who live near by, had their attention attracted to the fire by a baker, and managed to save a few of the effects from the kitchen, but the building was very quickly consumed. It appears from the stories brought back from Sydney that the boys of the First Contingent were not the only ones to break the bounds. Australian hospitality proved too much for numbers of the Imperial representatives, and men who previously had seen years of service without a black mark were lost for many days, and,’alas, posted as deserters. Several of them were found in obscure suburban public-houses. It was in the face of instances like these that the abstemious Maorilanders went up in the public estimation as the smartest, soberest, spickest and spannest body of men who took part in the celebrations.